When I go ATG (upward) under my nose / above the upper lip (mustache area) I can always count on some irritation & a little blood. Does anyone else have this issue and is it something that continuing to shave ATG in that area will help it dissipate?
I cannot comfortably shave directly ATG under the nose. I sort of go diagonally, but not quite XTG, more of in between ATG and XTG.
I also go diagonally up. ie south west to north east. South to North above my lip yields blood . :ashamed001
A light touch and a sharp blade usually suffice. The diagonal thing works too. After years of negotiating my employer and the union have agreed we can grow facial hair again. So I'm in the process of giving a goatee a whirl. No under-the-nose-shaving for me for awhile. :happy088
I have no issues going ATG under my nose. it does take a sharp smooth blade. Also try puffing the area with air, that will stand up the hair. Light slow short strokes is the key. No blood or irritation. Just BBS.
With DE's I just go XTG both ways. If that does not do the job, then I know the blade is either too worn or unfit for my use. With a really good and fresh blade just one WTG + one XTG usually does the job. When I use my GEM Push Button, it fits so well under the nose, and the blade is so sharp, that one or 2 WTGs is all it takes. I avoid any kind of ATG on the lip anymore-and with really sharp blades I find it isn't necessary. Most of my nicks and weepers historically have come from my neck and lip going ATG with worn or less sharp/or less forgiving blades.
Diagonally angled very slightly down. Easiest to do with an injector, but basically the same with a DE or SE, even a cartridge. I have gotten ATG to work, but not consistently, and decided it was better not to try.
This has been a troublesome area for me also. After years of having irratation I recently aquired a Gillette Tech razor. This is a mild razor and together with a sharp blade such as feather or a Russian 7'oclock I've had good success. Light pressure in your technique and also try choking up on the handle of your razor for better control should help . The diagonal technique works great also if you have sensitive skin. Don't get discouraged alot of us have this issue.
When I did shave my lip (since re-grown my stache back) I did as many others and just shaved diagonally. Same for my lower neck, where the skin looks like gator hide.
My upper lip, perhaps, is tough. I've never had issues going against the grain up there. I've definitely had issues going against the grain on my chin, though. It takes a routine of short, light passes that progressively rotate from XTG to ATG in increments of about 15 degrees.
I don't have the manual dexterity/experience to go ATG under my nose. I do a NS pass then diagonal from the outside in.
+1 on diagonal... I've got a kinda big schnozz, and not such a big upper lip, so it's hard to navigate upward to begin with, so finesse isn't an option. The diagonal has been my strategy.
